Illinois isn’t just another legal betting state — it’s one of the largest markets in the country, driven by Chicago’s major sports culture and a steady stream of year-round betting activity. From NFL Sundays with the Bears to NBA and MLB action across the Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox, demand for mobile betting has grown quickly since launch.
That scale has attracted nearly every major operator in the US, turning Illinois into a highly competitive app-based market. For bettors, that means plenty of choice — but also small differences between apps that actually matter, like pricing, live betting speed, and how smoothly withdrawals are handled.
This guide breaks down the best betting apps in Illinois for 2026, focusing on what each one does well and which is worth using depending on how you bet.
5 Best Betting Apps in Illinois (Ranked 2026)
- FanDuel ⭐ 4.8 / 4.7 — Best overall app
- DraftKings ⭐ 4.8 / 4.7 — Best for live betting
- BetMGM ⭐ 4.8 / 4.4 — Best for bonuses
- Bet365 ⭐ 4.7 / 4.5 — Best odds & features
- Caesars ⭐ 4.6 / 4.3 — Best rewards program
Which Betting App Is Best for You in Illinois?
| App | Best For | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | Best overall | Smooth UX, stable performance |
| DraftKings | Live betting | Deep in-play + fast updates |
| BetMGM | Bonuses | Consistent promo offers |
| Bet365 | Odds | Competitive pricing |
| Caesars | Rewards | Loyalty perks + bonuses |
TOP Sportsbook Apps in Illinois in Detail
BetRivers App
A pioneer among Illinois betting apps, BetRivers launched in June 2020, offering a tailored experience for local bettors. It features an extensive array of betting markets for sports like football, basketball, and baseball. The BetRivers mobile apps for both iOS and Android are intuitively designed, emphasizing local sports and events, and have user ratings of 4.5/5 and 3.8/5, respectively.
- BetRivers App Betting Bonus: The welcome offer of Up To $500 in Bet Credits as a 2nd Chance Bet with a 1x playthrough is user-friendly, especially for new bettors.
BetMGM Illinois
Entering the Illinois betting app scene in March 2022, BetMGM has captured a significant share of the market, largely thanks to its superior mobile app. The BetMGM IL apps for iOS and Android are acclaimed for their design and functionality, offering features like live streaming, daily price boosts, and diverse betting lines. They are rated 4.8/5 and 4.4/5 on their respective platforms.
- Bet MGM App Bonus: Get up to $1,500 bonus bet offer with the promo code with a $5 wager, appealing to high rollers.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars stands out as one of the pioneering sportsbooks in Illinois, providing bettors with a broad spectrum of sports categories and betting markets. The sportsbook’s mobile app, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, is enhanced with attractive features such as ‘Daily Odds Boosts,’ profit boost tokens, and parlay insurance, making it a compelling choice for diverse betting needs. The app has earned impressive user ratings, with 4.6 on iOS and 4.3 on Android, reflecting its popularity and reliability among Illinois bettors.
- Caesars App Bonus: Up to $1,000 refund if your first wager loses.
DraftKings
A leader in live betting, DraftKings started serving Illinois customers in August 2020. Known for its extensive in-play wagering options and live-streaming capabilities, it’s a top choice for real-time betting enthusiasts. The DraftKings apps for iOS and Android are highly rated, making building same-game parlays across various markets a breeze.
- Bonus Bet: The Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat SGP offer is attractive, especially for those interested in parlays and more strategic bets.
FanDuel Illinois
Launching in Illinois in March 2020, FanDuel stands out for its payment options. Withdrawals and deposits are secure and efficient, with options like PayPal, check, and ACH/E-Check available. The FanDuel IL apps offer seamless navigation, reflected in their high ratings on iOS (4.8/5 from over 967k reviews) and Android (4.7/5).
- Welcome Bonus: The welcome offer of Up to $200 in Bonus Bets, if Your Team Wins with a minimum $5 bet, is engaging for new bettors, offering a low-risk entry point into betting.
Illinois Teams & Events to Bet On
Illinois offers a diverse range of sports betting opportunities, including the chance to wager on all of the state’s professional sports teams. Bettors may place wagers on the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL in Illinois. This implies that bets on the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, and other clubs and events in those leagues like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals are all available through Illinois betting apps.
College sports betting is also offered, with NCAA March Madness and college football season wagering being among the collegiate sports available. However, it’s worth noting that customers in Illinois aren’t allowed to wager on collegiate athletic events featuring Illinois teams. This implies that betting on teams like the Illinois Fighting Illini and DePaul Blue Demons is not permitted.
The best approach to increase your profit potential is via futures bets. Predicting the winner of the Super Bowl or other significant tournaments may be fun before the season starts. Most bookmakers provide NFL picks, Vegas college football odds, and other standard options such as money lines, spreads, etc. If daily fantasy sports betting is your thing, you may want to check out DraftKings since they claim to have the most extensive selection of DFS options for bettors.
In addition, all new and existing sportsbooks in Illinois provide live wagering. If you have a betting account, you may bet on the action as it occurs. For example, if you’re watching the NFL, you may bet on who you think will score the next touchdown. Thanks to real-time odds updates, you’ll be able to make judgments based on the most current information.
Illinois sports betting apps tend to have lucrative bonuses, whether it’s a welcome bonus for a new player or a loyalty bonus for a longtime player. Some may also offer a bonus for using a certain payment method. Be sure you shop around with Illinois sports betting apps to find what promotions and bonuses sate your appetite and make the most sense for you.
Illinois Betting App Promos & Bonuses
Most Illinois sportsbooks offer similar types of promotions:
Loyalty rewards
Bet & Get offers (e.g. bet $5 → bonus bets)
First bet insurance
Odds boosts
Parlay insurance
TOP Promos and Bonus Bets to Claim in Illinois Today
- Caesars Sportsbook Illinois: Offers new players up to $1,000 in bonus bets for their first losing bet, using an optional promo code. The initial bet must settle within 30 days of account opening, and the bonus bet has a 14-day expiry.
- BetRivers App Illinois: Provides a second-chance bet welcome bonus up to $500 using the bonus code USBTRV. You receive the bonus bets within 24 hours after a losing bet settles. These bets have a 30-day expiry and must be placed on odds of -200 or longer. Profit or odds boosts cannot be used for the qualifying bets.
- BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois: A prominent sportsbook offering up to $1,500 in bonus back bets. With a minimum deposit of $10 and the promo code USDOTBET, the bonus is credited within 24 hours and valid for seven days.
- DraftKings Illinois: Welcomes new users with a $5 bet leading to $200 in bonus bets, divided into eight $25 bets with a seven-day expiry. This offer is available after placing a $5 bet on any of their lines.
- FanDuel Illinois: Offers $200 in bonus bets when you deposit $10 and bet $5. This deal also includes a one-month free trial of the NBA League Pass. The bonus funds, valid for seven days, can be used on various sporting events but not on the same game, parlay, or round-robin bets.
How to find the right betting app in Illinois? Look for these criteria:
- State license. The mobile app should be legal in the state of Illinois.
- Bonus Offers for new customers and easy-to-understand terms and conditions.
- Competitive odds and betting features, such as in-game betting and live streaming.
- 24/7 reliable customer support.
Illinois, not the earliest adopter of sports betting in the US, officially opened its regulated sportsbook app market on June 28th, 2019. This move included the legalization of online sports wagering and allowed betting at designated retail locations within the state. Currently, Illinois hosts eight operating sportsbook apps, catering to fans of teams like the Cubs, Bears, White Sox, Bulls, and Fire. We recommend betMGM, BetRivers and Caesars app for Illinois.
How to Download a Betting App in Illinois
In the past, bettors had to register in person at a brick-and-mortar facility before making a mobile wager, which was a difficult task given that most such facilities are located outside of the state’s metropolitan centers.
However, that is not the case anymore as the problem has been addressed, and anyone can sign up for a betting site online to wager on sports. All players need to do is:
- Select a provider of your preference. Make sure you access their desktop platform or go ahead and download their mobile app.
- Enter your full name, email address, address, phone number, and last four of a social security number to open an account.
- Once you have read all terms and conditions, you can now head on to your provider’s platform and enjoy the entire offer of betting and gaming dynamics they have included as part of their apps.
Retail Sportsbooks
Racetracks and Off-Track Betting parlors can also apply, and over 30 of these establishments exist. Also, sports arenas will be able to take wagers, leaving sports gamblers with plenty of options before even considering an online sportsbook.
Illinois Mobile Sports Betting FAQs
Is mobile betting legal in Illinois?
Yes. Mobile betting is legal in Illinois.
Is BetMGM betting App legal in Illinois?
Yes. The BetMGM App is legal in the state.
Can you bet on sports at 18 in Illinois?
No, the minimum betting age is 21. Anyone who wants to bet on sports in Illinois must verify that they are 21 or older.